Device for changing the pressure of a fluid

ABSTRACT

A device for changing the pressure of a fluid having a shaft with rotor blades spiraling in a first direction located on the shaft. The rotor blades rotate adjacent stator vanes that spiral along a stator housing in a direction opposite the first direction. The device changes the pressure of a fluid from a pressure P 1  to a pressure P 2.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device, such as a compressor orvacuum pump, for changing the pressure of a fluid, such as water or air.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, devices, such as compressors or vacuum pumps, thatchange the pressure of a fluid, such as water or air, are well known tothose skilled in the art. Such pressure changing devices can be found ina wide variety of applications including, but not limited to, jetwatercraft, such as jet-skis®, turbo charges for vehicles, such asautomobiles, jet engines and blowers for inflatable devices.

It is also well known that pressure changing devices take many differentforms. One form of a pressure changing device is commonly known as anaxial flow device since the fluid it moves travels generally parallelwith respect to an axis of rotation of the device. Typically, in anaxial flow device, a rotor is located within and parallel to a stator,to move fluid through the device.

It has been found that such axial flow devices for changing the pressureof a fluid can be unnecessarily heavy, large, complex, expensive tomanufacture and repair, and in some instances, dangerous. A briefsummary of such devices, as presented in U.S. patents, appears below.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,397,139 teaches a fluid unit having a pair of helices 34and 34′ nested within each other and which rotate with the core 2. Themechanism also includes another pair of helices 35 and 36 which rotatewith the core 2 and are intermeshed with helices 34 and 34′. Analternative embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIG. 79 where astationary shell 274 is located around a rotatable core 277. The patentstates in column 10, lines 55-57 that the helices of the rotatable corerotate in cooperation with the outer helices with which they intermesh.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,401 provides for a helical down-hole machine fordrilling but, due to the design of the machine, it may also be used as apump. The machine has a plurality of segments wherein each segment isprovided with rotor and stator elements adapted to cooperate with eachother during operation. Each stator has a surface facing the rotor thatis helically grooved. The rotor disposed within the stator is likewiseprovided with helical grooves. The patent indicates that the helicalgrooves of the stator and rotor form cavities of variable volume for thepassage of fluid. The stator and rotors are respectively continuouslyformed at least within a single segment.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,232 teaches a device for moving fluid consisting ofdrive means having a spiral rotor which is located within a spiralstator. A pump means is included and is also taught to have a spiralrotor located within a spiral stator. The spiraled rotors of the drivemeans and the pump are depicted as continuous.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,204 provides for a helical gear pump comprised of anouter stator member with a female helical gear formation and an innerrotor rotatable within the stator having a helical male gear formation.The patent emphasizes that a good seal must be present at all timesbetween the stator and the rotor for the pump to efficiently operate.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,819 teaches the use of carbon fibers for turbineblades. The blades are not wholly constructed of carbon fibers, butinstead are comprised of a resin, the carbon fibers and a mineralfiller.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,451 provides for a pump having an inlet housingprovided with three helical vanes disposed on an interior surface of thehousing. An impeller is provided which is comprised of a first conicalsurface and a plurality of vanes. The base of a second conical surfaceabuts the base of the first conical surface. The second conical surfaceis fitted with three helical discharge vanes.

Other related patents include U.S. Pat. No. 2,771,900 which provides fora continuous helical screw rotor on a conical impeller for fluidmovement; U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,896 which provides for a continuoushelical screw rotor interwoven with a continuous helical screw statorfor fluid pumping; U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,810 which teaches a continuoushelical screw rotor having a decreasing pitch in the direction of fluidflow; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,855 which provides for a pump having aroot diameter of each rotor increasing, and the thread diameter of eachrotor decreasing, in the direction of fluid flow. Additionally, thethickness of the rotors decreases in the direction of fluid flow.

In light of the above, it would advantageous to have an axial flowdevice for changing the pressure of a fluid that is lightweight,relatively compact, efficient in its design, inexpensive to manufactureand repair and also which is safe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device for changing the pressure of a fluidcomprising a shaft having at least two substantially continuous rotorblades spiraling in a first direction from a leading portion of theshaft to a trailing portion of the shaft. The rotor blades rotateadjacent at least two substantially continuous, spiraling stator vanes.The stator vanes spiral in a direction opposite of the first directionto change the pressure of a fluid from a pressure P1 at the leadingportion of the shaft to a pressure P2 at the trailing portion of theshaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, willbecome readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdetailed description when considered in the light of the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, exploded side view of a preferred embodiment of arotor portion and a stator housing of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a rotorportion of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic side view of yet another embodiment of a rotorportion of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic, exploded, cut-away side view of the rotor portionand the stator housing take along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic, exploded, perspective view of the rotor portionand the stator housing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic, perspective view of the rotor portion located inthe stator housing;

FIG. 5 is a schematic, side view of the rotor portion located in astator housing that has been partially cut-away;

FIG. 6 is a schematic, cut-away side view of a jet engine;

FIG. 7 is a schematic, exploded side view of another preferredembodiment of a rotor portion and a stator housing of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic, exploded, cut-away side view of the rotor portionand the stator housing taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic, exploded, perspective view of the rotor portionand the stator housing of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a schematic, exploded side view of another preferredembodiment of a rotor portion and a stator housing of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic, exploded, cut-away side view of the rotorportion and the stator housing take along lines 11-11 of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic, exploded, perspective view of the rotor portionand the stator housing of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless theclaims expressly state otherwise.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 of the present invention, a rotor portion 20comprising a shaft 22 and at least two rotor blades 24 located on theshaft 22, is depicted as exploded from a stator housing portion 26. Therotor blades 24 may be integrally formed with the shaft 22 or they maybe separate pieces that are secured to the shaft 22. Preferably, atleast the rotor blades 24 are constructed of a lightweight material,such as carbon fiber. The rotor blades 24 may also be constructed ofother materials including, but not limited to, one or more metals, oneor more composite materials and/or one or more polymers, such as aplastic material.

Regardless of the material from which the rotor blades 24 areconstructed, it is preferred that they are substantially non-permeableto fluid. While fluid does not flow through the rotor blades 24themselves, fluid does flow around the rotor blades 24.

Each rotor blade 24 preferably begins at a leading portion 28 of theshaft 22 and spirals along a central portion 30 of the shaft 22 where itpreferably terminates at a trailing portion 32 of the shaft 22. Thus,the rotor blades 24 preferably extend substantially continuously fromthe leading portion 28 of the shaft 22 to the trailing portion 32 of theshaft 22. Preferably, the rotor blades 24 spiral along the shaft 22 in afirst direction, as shown in FIGS. 1-3.

While the figures depict the rotor blades 24 spiraling along the shaft22 in a first direction, it should be appreciated that the blades 24 canspiral along the shaft 22 in a direction opposite the first directionwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Each rotor blade 24 has a leading edge 34. As shown in FIG. 1, theleading edge 34 of each blade 24 extends from the leading portion 28 ofthe shaft 22 substantially perpendicularly to an axis of rotation 36 ofthe shaft 22. In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 1A, theleading edge 34 of each blade 24 is swept back toward the trailingportion 32 of the shaft 22. The angle at which the leading edge 34 ofeach blade 24 may be swept can very without departing from the scope ofthe invention. A swept leading edge 34 reduces drag on the rotor blade24.

In yet another embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1B, theleading edge 34 of one or more rotor blades 24 may define a scoop 38.The scoop 38 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the axis ofrotation 36 of the shaft 22 or it may be swept back and taper toward thetrailing portion 32. It should also be appreciated the present inventionmay comprise rotor blades 24 having one or more leading edges 34extending perpendicularly from the axis of rotation 36 of the shaft 22,one or more leading edges 34 that are swept back and/or one or moreleading edges 34 that define a scoop 38.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3, including FIGS. 1A and 1B, therotor blades 24 spiral toward the trailing portion 32 of the shaft 22substantially equidistant from one another at a predetermined distance.It can be appreciated, however, that the rotor blades 24 may be locatednearer one another, farther from one another and/or the distance betweenthem may vary along the shaft 22.

FIGS. 1-3, including FIGS. 1A and 1B, also depict an outboard portion 40of each rotor blade 24 having an upturned edge 42. It should beappreciated that it is not critical to the present invention for eachrotor blade 24 to have an upturned edge 42 and that one, none, some orall of the rotor blades 24 can have an upturned edge 42. Furthermore,the present invention is not limited to an upturned edge 42 thatcontinues along each rotor blade 24 from the leading portion 28 of theshaft 22 to the trailing portion 32. Instead, the upturned portion 42can extend for any portion of the rotor blade 24 or for portions of therotor blade 24. An upturned edge 42 on the rotor blade 24 assists thefluid to transition from the rotor blade 24 to the stator vane in thehousing portion 26, discussed in more detail below.

The rotor blades 24 depicted in the figures are shown extending from theshaft 22 at substantially the same angle, or pitch. The rotor blades 24may extend from the shaft 22 at a pitch other than as depicted in thefigures and it should be appreciated that the pitch can vary along theshaft 22. Additionally, the pitches of one or more rotor blades 24 canvary from each other.

The shaft 22 may be one-piece or multiple pieces secured together. Theshaft 22 is preferably constructed of a lightweight material, such ascarbon fiber, however, the present invention is not limited to justcarbon fiber. Instead, the shaft may be constructed of one or moremetals, one or more ceramics, one or more composite materials and/or oneor more polymers, such as a plastic material.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 2 and 3, the shaft 22 is preferably anelliptical paraboloid, or cone-shaped, with the shaft 22 tapering downfrom the trailing portion 32 to the leading portion 28. The shaft 22 isdepicted in the figures as substantially solid; however, this is not aprerequisite for the present invention. The shaft 22 may be hollow,partially solid or entirely solid.

In the embodiment where the shaft 22 is an elliptical paraboloid, therotor blades 24 are wider adjacent the leading portion 28 of the shaft22. The rotor blades 24 gradually decrease in width as they spiral alongthe shaft 22 so as to maintain a relatively constant overall diameter ofthe rotor portion 20.

The rotor blades 24 preferably have a relatively constant thickness fromthe leading portion 28 of the shaft 22 to the trailing portion 32 of theshaft 22. The present invention is not, however, limited to the rotorblades 24 having a relatively constant thickness over the entire shaft22. Instead, the rotor blades 24 may be thicker near the leading portion28 of the shaft 22 as compared to the trailing portion 32, or viceversa, and/or they may vary in thickness (T) along the shaft 22.

The housing portion 26 comprises an outer wall 44 that contains an innerwall 46. The inner wall 46 defines an inlet 48 and an outlet 50 for thehousing portion 26. The inner wall 46 has a complimentary shape to theabove-described shaft 22. For example, in the preferred embodiment ofthe shaft 22 of FIGS. 1-3, the inner wall 46 tapers downwardly from theinlet 48 to the outlet 50 to match the design of the shaft 22.Preferably, the taper is of a curvilinear fashion, although it is withinthe scope of the present invention to taper the inner wall 46 in alinear fashion.

At least two stator vanes 52 depend from the inner wall 46 and extendinwardly into an inner portion 54 of the housing portion 26. The statorvanes 52 may be integrally formed with the inner wall 46 or they may beseparate pieces that are secured to the inner wall 46.

Preferably, at least the stator vanes 52 are constructed of alightweight material, such as carbon fiber. The stator vanes 52 may alsobe constructed of other materials including, but not limited to, one ormore metals, one or more ceramics, one or more composite materialsand/or one or more polymers, such as a plastic material.

Regardless of the material from which the stator vanes 52 areconstructed, it is preferred that they are substantially non-permeableto fluid. While fluid does not flow through the stator vanes 52themselves, fluid does flow around the stator vanes 52.

Each stator vane 52 substantially begins at the inlet 48 and spiralssubstantially continuously along the inner wall 46 where each vane 52terminates substantially at the outlet 50. Preferably, the stator vanes52 spiral along the inner wall 46 in a second direction, which isopposite the first direction of the rotor blades 24.

It can be appreciated that it was mentioned above that the rotor blades24 spiral along the shaft 22 in the first direction, as depicted in thefigures, or in the opposite direction. Regardless of which direction therotor blades 24 spiral along the shaft 22 in, the stator vanes 52 spiralin the opposite direction.

Each stator vane 52 has a leading edge 56. The leading edge 56 of eachstator vane 52 extends from the inlet 48 substantially perpendicular tothe axis of rotation 36 of the shaft 22, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.Alternatively, the leading edge 56 of each stator vane 52 may be sweptback toward the outlet 50. A swept leading edge 56 on the stator vanes52 helps reduce drag from the fluid.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the stator vanes 52 spiral toward the outlet 50substantially equidistant from one another at a predetermined distance.It can be appreciated, however, that the stator vanes 52 may be locatednearer one another, farther from one another and/or the distance betweenthem may vary along the inner wall 46.

FIGS. 2-3, also depict an outboard portion 58 of each stator vane 52having an upturned edge 60. It should be appreciated that it is notcritical to the present invention for each stator vanes 52 to have anupturned edge 60 and that one, some, none or all of the stators vanes 52can have an upturned edge 60. Furthermore, the present invention is notlimited to an upturned edge 60 that continues along each stator vane 52from the inlet 48 to the outlet 50. Instead, the upturned edge 60 canextend for any portion of the stator vane 52 or portions of the statorvanes 52. An upturned edge 60 on the rotor blade 24 assists the fluid totransition from the rotor blade 24 to the stator vane 52.

In the embodiment where the shaft 22 is a paraboloid, the stator vanes52 are wider adjacent the inlet 48. The stator vanes 52 graduallydecrease in width as they spiral along the inner wall 46 to accommodatethe wider base of the shaft 22 near the outlet 50. Preferably, thestator vanes 52 create a substantially constant inner diameter for thestator housing portion 26.

The stator vanes 52 preferably have relatively constant thicknesses fromthe inlet 48 to the outlet 50. The present invention is not, however,limited to the stator vanes 52 having a relatively constant thickness.Instead, the stator vanes 52 may be thicker near the inlet 48 than atthe outlet 50, or vice versa, and/or they may vary in thickness alongthe inner wall 46.

The stator vanes 52 depicted in the figures are shown extending from thestator housing portion 26 at substantially the same angle, or pitch. Thestator vanes 52 may extend from the stator housing portion 26 at a pitchother than as depicted in the figures. Further, the pitch of the statorvanes 52 can vary along the stator housing portion 26. Additionally, thevarious stator vanes 52 may be provided with various pitches that arenot the same as one another.

Regardless of the size, shape, location or number of stator vanes 52, itcan be appreciated that the stator vanes 52 counteract the spin impartedto the fluid from the rotor blades 24, also regardless of the size,shape, location or number of rotor blades 24. More particularly, thepitch of the stator vanes 52 assists in counteracting the spin impartedto the fluid from the rotor blades 24 and in converting the rotatedfluid to an axial flow. The viscosity of the fluid is also a function ofthe extent to which the stators 52 counteract the spin imparted to thefluid.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the rotor portion 20 is preferablylocated in the housing portion 26 such that at least the initialportions of the leading edges 34 of the rotor blades 24 aresubstantially in the same horizontal plane as the leading edges 56 ofthe stator vanes 52. It should be appreciated, however, that the leadingedges 56 of the rotor blades 24 and the leading edges 56 of the statorvanes 52 need not be aligned.

It can also be appreciated by referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 that theoutboard portions 40 of the rotor blades 24 do not touch the outboardportions 58 of the stator vanes 52. Preferably, a small, constant gap 62is located between the rotor blades 24 and the stator vanes 52, as shownin the figures. It is also within the scope of the present invention forthis gap 62 to be a dimension other than as depicted in the figures.Further, it is within the scope of this invention for this gap 62 tovary in size over the length of the rotor portion 20 and the statorhousing portion 26. Additionally, it is preferred that the rotor blades24 are not intertwined with the stator vanes 52.

FIGS. 7-9 depict another embodiment of the present invention. Referencenumbers used for FIGS. 1-5 described above are used for like features ofthe embodiment depicted in FIGS. 7-9, but are multiplied by 100.

As shown in FIGS. 7-9, a fan 64 is located on the leading portion 128 ofthe shaft 122. The fan 64 is comprised of a plurality of blades 66. Theblades 66 may be integrally formed with the shaft 122 or they may beseparately formed and secured to the shaft 122. Preferably, the blades66 are constructed of a lightweight material, such as carbon fiber,although other materials, such as one or more metals, one or moreceramics, one or more polymers, and/or one or more composite materials,are within the scope of the present invention.

The blades 66 of the fan 64 preferably are oriented to have acomplimentary twist to the rotor blades 124 on the shaft 122. The blades66 of the fan 64, however, may be set at any angle with respect to therotor blades 124 on the shaft 122.

The blades 66 of the fan 64 are depicted as having a larger diameterthan the diameter of the shaft 122 and its rotor blades 124. It shouldbe appreciated that the blades 66 of the fan 64 can be any diameter withrespect to the rotor blades 124 of the shaft 122.

Preferably, the blades 66 of the fan 64 transition into the rotor blades124. The fan blades 66 and the rotor blades 124 can be integrally formedas one piece, or they can be separately formed and attached to oneanother to create a smooth, preferably seamless, transition from one tothe other.

As best seen in FIG. 8, the outer diameter of each rotor blade 124decreases from the fan 64 to the trailing portion 132 of the shaft 122.FIG. 8 depicts the individual rotor blades 124 decreasing in diameter atdifferent amounts from another. It is with the scope of the presentinvention, however, to have the individual rotor blades 124 decrease indiameter in the same amounts. Regardless of whether the individual rotorblades 124 decrease in diameter along the shaft 122 in the same amountor in different amounts from one another, it should be appreciated thestators 152 will have a complementary design.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, as best seen in FIG. 8,the housing portion 126 has an inlet 148 with an initial interiordiameter large enough to receive the fan blades 66. Preferably, the fanblades 66 are located adjacent the inner wall 146 of the housing portion126, but do not touch the inner wall 146.

As shown in FIG. 8, the inner wall 146 adjacent the fan blades 66 lackstator vanes 152. The present invention is not limited, however, to thisdepicted embodiment. Instead, stator vanes 152 can be located adjacentthe fan blades 66 and extend toward the fan blades 66 to any extent.Where stator vanes 152 are located adjacent the fan blades 66, thediameter of the fan blades 66 is reduced to avoid contact with thestator vanes 152.

FIGS. 10-12 depict yet another embodiment of the present invention.Reference numbers used for FIGS. 1-5 described above are used for likefeatures of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 10-12, but are multipliedby 200.

As before, a shaft 222 with at least two rotor blades 224 is provided.In this embodiment, however, the rotor blades 224 are not located, atleast for a portion of the shaft 222, equidistant from one another.Instead, as shown in FIG. 10-12, the distance between the rotor blades224 varies as the rotor blades 224 spiral along the shaft 222 toward thetrailing portion 232.

FIGS. 10-12 depict the rotor blades 224 completing one or two turnsaround the leading portion 228 of the shaft 222 with a relativelyconstant distance between them before the distance between themgradually increases. It should be understood that this is merely oneembodiment of the invention and that the distance between the rotorblades 224 can vary from the leading portion 228 to the trailing portion232 of the shaft 222.

FIGS. 11 and 12 depict the housing portion 226 for the rotor portion 200described above. The inner wall 246 of the housing portion 226 definesstator vanes 252 that spiral in an opposite direction from the rotorblades 224 but which have spaces that are substantially similar to thespaces between the rotor blades 224. It can be appreciated, however,that the spacing between the stator vanes 252 may vary with respect tothe spacing between the rotor blades 224.

A brief description of the method of using the present invention,applicable to each of the embodiments disclosed above, but usingreference number for the first embodiment, comprises locating thecombined rotor portion 20 and stator housing portion 26 within avehicle, such as a jet, a watercraft, an automobile, or any othervehicle where it is desirable to change the pressure of a fluid. Itshould be understood that the present invention is in no way limited tovehicles. For example, the present invention may be used as a blower,such as for inflatable devices, or as a vacuum pump.

In the exemplary embodiment of the jet engine 68 of FIG. 6, the rotorportion 20 is rotated within the housing portion 26 adjacent the statorvanes 52, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example. When the rotor portion20 is rotated in a first direction, air enters the inlet 48 of thestator housing portion 26 at a first pressure P1. The first direction ofrotation is counterclockwise. The air may be drawn into the inlet 48 byvirtue of the rotor blades 24 rotating adjacent the stator vanes 52.Alternatively, if a fan 64 is located on the shaft 22, such as thatdepicted in FIGS. 7-9, the plurality of rotating blades 66 of the fan 64pulls air into the inlet 48. Additionally, or alternatively, if theinvention is part of the jet engine 68, as shown in FIG. 6, a fan 70 maybe located upstream of the invention to force air into the inlet 48.

Once the air enters the inlet 48, the stator vanes 52 increase thepressure of the air and move the air substantially parallel to the axisof rotation 36 of the shaft 22. It can be appreciated that the amountthe air is compressed is a function of many factors associated with thedesign of the rotor blades 24 and stator vanes 52 including, but notlimited to, the spacing between the rotor blades 24 and the spacingbetween the stator vanes 52, the gap 62 between the stator vanes 52 andthe rotor blades 24, the number of rotor blades 24 and stator vanes 52,the speed at which the shaft 22 is rotated, and the length of thedevice. The air exits the outlet 50 of the invention at a raisedpressure P2.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the compressed air can besent to a combustor 72 where fuel 74 is added and the mixture is burned.The combustion product is a high energy air flow that is passed througha turbine 76 to extract energy from the flow.

It can be appreciated that one or more scoops 38 located on the leadingedges 34 of one or more of the rotor blades 24 can capture and drawadditional air into the inlet 48. Leading edges 34, 56 on one or more ofthe rotor blades 24 and/or the stator vanes 52 that are swept willresult in less fluid being drawn into the inlet 48. Further, the use ofupturned outboard edges 42, 60 of one or more rotor blades 24 and/orstator vanes 52 help contain and direct the flow of fluid in theinvention.

It can be appreciated that the present invention can function equallywell as a vacuum device. By way of example only, if the shaft 22 isrotated in a clockwise direction, the stator vanes 52 will function tolower the pressure of air entering the inlet 48.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the presentinvention has been described in what is considered to represent itspreferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that the inventioncan be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated anddescribed without departing from its spirit or scope.

1. A device for changing the pressure of a fluid, comprising: a shafthaving at least two substantially continuous rotor blades spiraling in afirst direction from a leading portion of said shaft to a trailingportion of said shaft, said rotor blades rotating adjacent at least twosubstantially continuous, spiraling stator vanes, said stator vanesspiraling in a direction opposite of said first direction, to change thepressure of a fluid from a pressure P1 at said leading portion of saidshaft to a pressure P2 at said trailing portion of said shaft.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said pressure P1 is greater than saidpressure P2.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said shaft is aparaboloid.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said fluid is locatedamong said rotor blades and said stator vanes and flows between saidleading portion and said trailing portion of said shaft.
 5. The deviceof claim 1, wherein a first rotor blade decreases in diameter at a firstamount along said shaft and a second rotor blade decreases in diameterat a second, different amount along said shaft.
 6. The device of claim1, wherein each of said rotor blades has an upturned outboard portion.7. The device of claim 6, wherein each of said rotor blades has aleading edge portion that is swept back from said leading portion ofsaid shaft.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein each of said stator vaneshas an upturned outboard portion.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein eachof said stator vanes has a leading edge portion that is swept back froman inlet portion of a stator housing, said stator vanes being attachedto said stator housing.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein said at leasttwo rotor blades do not contact said at least two stator blades.
 11. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein each of said stator vanes decreases indiameter as said shaft increases in diameter from said leading portionto said trailing portion.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein each ofsaid rotor blades decreases in diameter as said shaft increases indiameter from said leading portion to said trailing portion.
 13. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said fluid is air.
 14. The device of claim 9,wherein said stator vanes extend into a hollow interior portion of saidstator housing and wherein said interior portion has a longitudinalcenterline and said shaft has a rotational axis and wherein saidlongitudinal centerline of said interior portion and said rotationalaxis of said shaft are aligned.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein a fandirects said fluid into said stator vanes and said rotor blades, andsaid stator vanes and rotor blades pressurize said fluid and direct saidfluid into a combustor.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein said statorvanes and said rotor blades are constructed of carbon fiber.
 17. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the distance between said stator vaneschanges along said shaft.
 18. The device of claim 1, wherein thedistance between said rotor blades changes along said shaft.
 19. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein a plurality of fan blades are located on saidleading portion of said shaft, said fan blades transitioning into saidrotor blades.
 20. The device of claim 1, wherein said stator vanes andsaid rotor blades themselves are substantially nonpermeable but saidfluid can flow between them.
 21. A fluid compressor, comprising: astator housing having an inner wall and at least two substantiallycontinuous stator vanes located on said inner wall, said stator vanesextending radially into a hollow inner portion of said stator housingfrom said inner wall and said stator vanes spiraling along said innerwall from an inlet of said stator housing to an outlet of said statorhousing; and at least two substantially continuous rotor bladesspiraling from a forward portion of a shaft to a trailing portion ofsaid shaft, said rotor blades spiraling in an opposite direction fromsaid stator vanes; wherein said shaft is located within said hollowinner portion of said stator housing such that said at least two rotorblades are free to rotate adjacent said at least two stator vanes tocompress a fluid within said housing.
 22. The fluid compressor of claim21, wherein said fluid is air.
 23. The fluid compressor of claim 26,wherein a fan directs said fluid into said stator vanes and said rotorblades, and said stator vanes and rotor blades direct said fluid into acombustor.
 24. The fluid compressor of claim 21, wherein said statorvanes and said rotor blades are constructed of carbon fiber.
 25. Thefluid compressor of claim 21, wherein said stator vanes and said rotorblades themselves are substantially nonpermeable but said fluid can flowbetween them.
 26. The fluid compressor of claim 21, wherein at least oneof said rotor blades has an upturned side edge portion.
 27. The fluidcompressor of claim 21, wherein at least one of said rotor blades has aleading edge portion that is swept back from said leading portion ofsaid shaft.
 28. The fluid compressor of claim 21, wherein at least oneof said stator vanes has an upturned side edge portion.
 29. The fluidcompressor of claim 26, wherein at least one of said stator vanes has aleading edge portion that is swept back from said inlet of said statorhousing.
 30. The fluid compressor of claim 21, wherein said at least tworotor blades do not contact said at least two stator vanes and said atleast two rotor blades are not intertwined with said at least two statorvanes.
 31. The fluid compressor of claim 21, wherein said interiorportion of said housing has a longitudinal centerline and said shaft hasa rotational axis and wherein said longitudinal centerline of saidinterior portion and said rotational axis of said shaft are aligned. 32.A compressor for a vehicle, comprising: a fan having a plurality ofrotating surfaces for drawing air into an engine; a compressor locatedbehind said fan for receiving at least a portion of said air from saidfan and increasing the pressure of said air from an inlet of saidcompressor to an outlet of said compressor, said compressor comprised ofat least two continuous stator vanes spiraling in a first direction andat least two continuous rotor blades spiraling in a direction oppositeof said first direction adjacent said stator vanes; a combustor forreceiving pressurized air from said compressor, for adding fuel to saidpressurized air and for igniting the fuel and pressurized aircombination to produce a high energy air flow; and a turbine locatedbehind said combustor, where said high energy air flow acts on saidturbine to cause said turbine to rotate.
 33. The fluid compressor ofclaim 32, wherein said fluid is air.
 34. The fluid compressor of claim32, wherein said stator vanes and said rotor blades are constructed ofcarbon fiber.
 35. The fluid compressor of claim 32, wherein said statorvanes and said rotor blades themselves are substantially nonpermeablebut said fluid can flow between them.
 36. The fluid compressor of claim32, wherein at least one of said rotor blades has an upturned outboardportion.
 37. The fluid compressor of claim 32, wherein at least one ofsaid rotor blades has a leading edge portion that is swept back from aleading portion of said shaft.
 38. The fluid compressor of claim 32,wherein at least one of said stator vanes has an upturned outboardportion.
 39. The fluid compressor of claim 32, wherein at least one ofsaid stator vanes has a leading edge portion that is swept back from aninlet of a housing on which said stator vanes are attached.
 40. Thefluid compressor of claim 32, wherein said at least two rotor blades arenot intertwined with said at least two stator blades.
 41. The fluidcompressor of claim 32, wherein said housing has an interior portionhaving a longitudinal centerline and wherein said rotor blades aremounted on a shaft having a rotational axis, said shaft being rotatablymounted within said interior portion and wherein said longitudinalcenterline of said interior portion and said rotational axis of saidshaft are aligned.